Don't use recession as excuse to cut funding: UN chief

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned world governments today against using the economic crisis as an excuse to cut funding for fighting AIDS. Records suggest there are nearly five new HIV infections for every two people put on treatment in present day scenario.     

Moon called for "bold action" not only to increase funding but also to break down social barriers to achieve the goal set by world leaders in 2006 of universal access to comprehensive HIV prevention services, treatment, care and support by 2010.     

But the UN chief and other speakers at a General Assembly meeting, reviewing progress and challenges in the battle against AIDS, indicated that it will be exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, to reach the goal.     

On the plus side, Moon added, 110 of the 192 UN member states have established national targets to achieve universal access, with many making headway and some having reached them.     

A survey of 14 African countries found a decrease in the percentage of pregnant women living with HIV, he said, and over a five-year period, the provision of antiretroviral drugs increased, contributing to the first decline in the number of annual AIDS deaths since the epidemic was first recognised nearly 30 years ago.     

Financing for HIV programs in low and middle-income countries also continued to increase, reaching $13.7 billion in 2008, informed Moon.